BPW adds public service to Public Utilities Week celebration

Saturday

Oct 5, 2013 at 7:15 AM

The Hannibal Board of Public Works’ first two years of observance of Public Utilities Week consisted of a family-friendly event that attracted hundreds. And while this year’s celebration will still include free food and bucket truck rides, a public service aspect is being added.

DANNY HENLEYdanny.henley@courierpost.com

The Hannibal Board of Public Works’ first two years of observance of Public Utilities Week consisted of a family-friendly event that attracted hundreds. And while this year’s celebration will still include free food and bucket truck rides, a public service aspect is being added.Monday, Oct. 7, has been designated “BPW gives back to our Veterans” day. BPW personnel will be performing an assortment of chores at the homes of two local veterans.“We have selected two veterans in need of help around their home and yard,” said Cindy Livesay, director of communications for the BPW, noting that the vets were chosen out of a pool of nominees. “These are two very worthy individuals and we are very excited to be able to help those who have so graciously fought for our freedom.”On Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 8 and 9, BPW personnel will be found working at the Old Baptist Cemetery.While the cemetery, located at the junction of Summer and Section streets, may be off the beaten path, it’s still a spot that many visitors to the community choose to visit.“This cemetery holds quite a bit of historical history for Hannibal, is a trolley stop and also a stop for the Haunted Hannibal tours,” said Livesay in an e-mail.According to Livesay, it makes sense for the BPW to focus its attention on that site.“The cemetery is in desperate need of attention after the May storm,” she said. “We’ve had several local groups offer to pitch in and help see this cemetery restored to its former glory. We are very excited to do something that helps our community, the city which maintains the cemetery, and the tourists coming into Hannibal.”In addition to the public service projects, Public Utilities Week will also consist of:• BPW water and wastewater plant tours today, Saturday, Oct. 5. A tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant on Warren Barrett Drive will begin at 10:50 a.m. Following a tour of that facility participants will be shuttled to the Water Treatment Plant for lunch and a tour.Tour No. 2 begins at 2:50 p.m. at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Following the tour participants will again be shuttled to the Water Treatment Plant for a tour and dinner.• Family Fun Night will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center on Warren Barrett Drive. The event will feature drawings, give-a-ways, food, games, bounce houses and bucket truck rides. Five $75 BPW utility gift certificates will be given away.• Coffee and cookies will be served on Friday, Oct. 11, at the BPW’s main office on Industrial Loop Drive from 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.